U.S. patent number 4,749,359 [Application Number 07/090,132] was granted by the patent office on 1988-06-07 for security override network interface device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Siecor Corporation. Invention is credited to Stephen D. White.
United States Patent |
4,749,359 |
White |
June 7, 1988 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Security override network interface device
Abstract
A telephone network interface device having differing means for
access for the public utility, building owner or apartment manager,
and those living in individual housing units; differing means of
access provided in part by a latchpiece inserted between a first
gate leading to a subscriber compartment and a second gate leading
to the utility compartment. Also described is a container using the
latchpiece.
Inventors: |
White; Stephen D. (Argyle,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Siecor Corporation (Hickory,
NC)
|
Family
ID: |
22221468 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/090,132 |
Filed: |
August 27, 1987 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/133; 174/60;
379/413.02; 379/419; 379/437; 379/438; 439/144; 439/718;
439/892 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/44 (20130101); H05K 5/0208 (20130101); H04Q
1/028 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/44 (20060101); H05K 5/02 (20060101); H04Q
1/02 (20060101); H01R 013/44 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/133,142,143,144,145,146,535,536,718,892
;379/27,399,412,419,437-439 ;174/60 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Weidenfeld; Gil
Assistant Examiner: Austin; Paula A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Abernethy; David
Claims
I claim:
1. A network interface device comprising:
(a) a container having at least first and second compartments
therein, a first entranceway to the first compartment and a second
entranceway to the second compartment;
(b) a first gate for opening or closing the entranceway into the
first compartment;
(c) a second gate for opening or closing the entranceway into the
second compartment;
(d) first locking means for locking the first gate;
(e) first unlocking means for unlocking the first gate but not the
second gate;
(f) second unlocking means for unlocking the first gate without
using the first unlocking means;
(g) a first set of terminals within the first compartment;
(h) a second set of terminals within the second compartment;
(i) a set of jacks within the first compartment in electrical
communication with the second set of terminals;
(j) a set of jack plugs removably inserted into the jacks, each
jack plug in electrical communication with the first set of
terminals; and
(k) a plurality of first gate doors in the first gate, each gate
door providing access to a portion of the jacks when the gate door
is opened.
2. A network interface device as recited in claim 1, wherein the
second gate is between the first and second compartments.
3. Apparatus comprising:
(a) a container having at least first and second compartments
therein, an entranceway into the first compartment, and an
entranceway into the second compartment;
(b) a first gate for opening or closing the entranceway into the
first compartment, the first gate having a first opening
therein;
(c) a second gate for opening or closing the entrance into the
second compartment;
(d) a handle rotatably mounted on the container;
(e) an arm rotated by the handle, the arm located within the first
compartment;
(f) a latchpiece in the first compartment comprising:
(i) a plate between the arm and the second gate having a slot
therein through which the arm is passable when the handle is
rotated; and
(ii) a loop mounted on the plate, the loop projecting through the
first opening in the first gate when the first gate is closed;
and
(g) a handle fastener preventing rotation of the handle unless the
fastener is unfastened.
4. Apparatus as recited in claim 3, further comprising:
(a) a first set of terminals in the first compartment;
(b) a second set of terminals in the second compartment;
(c) a set of jacks in the first compartment in an electrical
communication with the second set of terminals; and
(d) a set of plugs in the first compartment in electrical
communication with the first set of terminals, each said plug
removably inserted into a jack.
5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising a plurality
of first gate doors in the first gate, each gate door providing
access to a portion of the jacks when the gate door is opened.
6. Apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising a container
lid having a perforated flange, and a lock having a hasp passing
through the perforated flange and around the handle when the handle
is fastened.
7. A network interface device comprising:
(a) a container having a lid and at least first and second
compartments therein, a first entranceway to the first compartment
and a second entranceway to the second compartment;
(b) a first gate for opening or closing the entranceway into the
first compartment;
(c) a second gate for opening or closing the entranceway into the
second compartment;
(d) second locking means for locking the lid;
(e) first locking means for locking the first gate;
(f) first unlocking means for unlocking the first gate;
(g) lid unlocking means for unlocking the lid;
(h) second unlocking means for unlocking the lid and first gate
without using the first unlocking means or lid unlocking means;
(i) a first set of terminals within the first compartment;
(j) a second set of terminals within the second compartment;
(k) a set of jacks within the first compartment in electrical
communication with the second set of terminals; and
(l) a set of jack plugs removably inserted into the jacks, each
jack plug in electrical communication with the first set of
terminals.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to network interface devices and containers
suitable therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A telephone network interface device was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,647,725 granted to Thomas A. Dellinger, et al. The philosophy
behind the telephone network interface device is that, in the age
of separate ownership of premise wiring by a subscriber, means are
needed to indicate whether a system fault is in the portion of the
loop owned by the telephone company or other utility or the portion
of the network owned by the subscriber. In putting the concept into
practice, it has been customary in the industry to provide a device
with separate compartments, one compartment designed for access by
the telephone company only and the other compartment designed for
access by both the telephone company and the subscriber.
Many telephone network interface devices used in the industry today
provide a container, a first door which is locked to the container,
and a second door which is locked only to the first door. The first
door leads to the telephone company terminals and the second door
leads to the subscriber access area. The subscriber may open a lock
between the two doors, but only the telephone company can open the
lock between the first door and the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is designed having in mind with a building with a
number of dwelling units, offices, or other separate spaces. In
such an environment, those in possession of individual units will
desire an individual network interface in order to test the wiring
in their own individual units. The possessor of an individual unit
should only have access to the jack or jacks pertaining to his
portion of the building. Therefore, a number of separate jack and
plug mechanisms are needed.
The building manager or owner has different needs. This person
needs to be able to access all network interfaces of the individual
dwelling units.
The third entity having individualized needs is the telephone
company, or other utility. The telephone company needs to be able
to access any portion of the total network interface device unit.
Therefore, a need exists for a network interface device unit
wherein an individual dweller can have access to an individualized
set of jacks and plugs, but not any other portion of the unit; the
building manager must be able to access the entire set of jacks and
plugs for the building units, but not the portion of the network
interface device preserved for the telephone company or other
utilities; and, the telephone company or other utility needs some
separate compartment which cannot be accessed by an individual
dwelling unit owner or the building manager. Furthermore, the
telephone company needs to be able to access all other portions of
the device. This creates problems when the building manager is not
available. The building manager's access needs to be locked to keep
out intruders; yet, it is desirable that the telephone company or
other utility be able to override the building manager's lock in
order to obtain access to the entire unit without having to gain
possession of the building manager's key. The disclosed invention
provides a way to satisfy all these needs.
Therefore, the invention provides a container having a lid and at
least first and second compartments therein, a first entrance way
to the first compartment and a second entrance way to the second
compartment; a first gate for opening or closing the entrance way
into the first compartment and a second gate for opening or closing
the entrance way into the second compartment; means for locking the
first gate; first unlocking means (for the building manager) for
unlocking the first gate but not the second gate; second unlocking
means (for the telephone company) for unlocking the first gate
without using the first unlocking means; a first set of terminals
within the first compartment and a second set of terminals within
the second compartment; a set of jacks within the first compartment
in electrical communication with the second set of terminals; a set
of jack plugs removably inserted into the jacks, each jack plug in
electrical communication with the first set of terminals; and a
plurality of first gate doors (for the possessors of individual
building units) in the first gate, each gate door providing an
access to a portion of the jacks when the gate door is opened. In
the preferred embodiment, the second gate is between the first and
second compartments. The particular configuration of the preferred
embodiment allows the use of a container lid having a rubber
gasket. Earlier network interface devices contained no gasket, but
rather attempts to provide moisture protection by precise molding
of the plastic parts. Such precise molding is not practical with
the larger size unit of the current design. The placement of the
second gate "within" the first gate and the novel opening mechanism
disclosed allow a separate cover, with gasket, to be placed over
the entire container.
In keeping with the terminology of the network interface field, the
first compartment is the "customer" compartment and the first set
of terminals are the "customer" terminals, and the second
compartment and second set of terminals are the "telephone company"
compartment and terminals respectively.
To allow the telephone company employee to "override" the locking
devices of the building manager, the preferred embodiment provides
a handle rotatably mounted on the containers; an arm rotated by the
handle, the arm located within the first compartment; a latch piece
in the first compartment comprising: (i) a plate between the arm
and the second gate having a slot therein through which the arm is
passable when the handle is rotated; and (ii) a loop mounted on the
plate, the loop projecting through a first opening in the first
gate when the first gate is closed; and a handle fastener
preventing rotation of the handle unless the fastener is
unfastened. A plurality of first gate doors are provided in the
first gate, each gate door providing access to a portion of the
first set of terminals when the gate door is opened. The individual
first gate doors may be opened by those in possession of individual
building units, while the first gate door is designed to be opened
by the building manager or the telephone company; and the second
gate door is designed to be opened by the telephone company
only.
As an added feature, the container lid may have a perforated flange
which allows a lock hasp to pass therethrough. The fastened handle
passes through the hasp; therefore, the handle may be rotated by
the telephone company without a lock key.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container with the lid closed
and fastened by a building manager's lock.
FIG. 2 shows the container with the lid open disclosing the first
gate.
FIG. 3 shows a first gate door opened to disclose a portion of the
first set of terminals and jacks.
FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the second gate which shows an expanded
view of a portion of the first set of terminals, jack plugs, jacks,
and the rotating handle.
FIG. 5 is an expanded view showing interaction of the rotating door
handle and arm in conjunction with the latch piece.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second compartment, the second
gate being opened.
DETAILE0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the
invention with lid 10 closed. Building manager's lock 12 has hasp
64 passing through perforation 14 of lid flange 13; hasp 64 also
passes around rotatable handle 24. The screws located near the top
and bottom of the container are ordinary screws which may be opened
by a screwdriver. The purpose of these screws is just to secure lid
10.
FIG. 2 shows lid 10 opened, lock 12 being removed. Further shown in
lid 10 is gasket 11. Ridge 17 (FIG. 3) fits into gasket 11 to
provide a snug, watertight fit. Opening lid 10 discloses the
remaining portion 15 of the preferred embodiment, first gate 51 now
being exposed to view. Building manager's lock 23 prevents first
gate 51 from being opened at this point. First gate 51 closes the
entranceway into the first compartment.
FIG. 3 provides a more expanded view of first gate doors 18, 20,
21, 52, 53, 54, and 55. First gate door 18 has opening 19 providing
a means for locking first gate door 18 by the possessor of an
individual unit if that is desired. Flange 65 having hole 66 passes
through opening 19 when first gate door 18 is closed, so a lock may
be placed thereon. The remaining first gate doors may also be
locked in this fashion if desired.
Opening first gate door 18 provides access to jack plug 36 and the
jack into which it is inserted which are located in the first
compartment.
First gate 51 is secured by regular screw 22, which may be opened
by a common screwdriver. Special telephone company screw 25 has a
smooth head and is designed to be opened only by a special
telephone company tool. These special screws and tools are readily
available on the open market. Special screw 25 fastens rotatably
mounted handle 24. First gate 51 has opening 61 through which loop
32 (FIG. 4) projects.
In FIG. 4 first gate 51 has been opened after removal of lock 23,
exposing the first compartment and second gate 40 which closes the
entranceway into the second compartment. A portion of the first set
of terminals 26 are shown in electrical communication via wires
leading to jack plugs 36-37, which are removably inserted into jack
plugs 38-39. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, latchpiece 31 comprises
plate 60, having slot 33, and also loop 32 mounted on plate 60,
loop 32 designed to extend through opening 61 of first gate 51 (see
FIG. 3) to provide a hangar for lock 23 (see FIG. 2). Referring
back to FIGS. 4 and 5, when handle 24 is rotated, arm 30 is rotated
by wheel 29. Slot 33 is shaped in order to allow arm 30 to pass
through. Latchpiece 31 is separate, not mounted permanently either
to first gate 51 or second gate 40.
One can, therefore unlock and open first gate 51 in two ways. The
building manager may unlock lock 23 and unscrew screw 22. The
telephone company employee, who has no key to lock 23, may unscrew
special screw 25, rotate handle 24, causing arm 30 to align with
slot 33. First gate 51, with latchpiece 31 still attached thereto
by lock 23, may then be opened.
Lid 10 may be opened in two ways as well. Lock 12 may be unlocked,
or rotation of handle 24 allows lid 10 to be opened even with lock
12 still locked.
FIG. 6 shows the second compartment, second gate 40 now opened.
Wires 41 place the jacks in electrical communication with second
set of terminals 42, 43 in the second compartment. A plurality of
wires 44 lead to lighting arrestor 45. Screws 22, 34 seat into
holes 50, 49, respectively.
* * * * *